Understanding Chinese Culture through Beauty of Luoyang: 2023 "Discover China" Tours of Henan for Diplomats in China Launched in Luoyang

From 20 to 23 July, the 2023 "Discover China" Tours of Henan for Diplomats in China, hosted by the Bureau of International Exchange and Cooperation of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of China, took place in Luoyang. The tour aims to enhance the foreign diplomats' understanding of Chinese culture and China in the new era, inviting eight diplomats in China from six countries including Thailand and Uzbekistan, along with their families. The diplomats and their children enjoyed the gorgeous natural scenery in Luoyang, as well as the exquisite local cuisine and a variety of historical sites.

A Warm Welcome from Ancient China

"The culture of the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476BC) is at your fingertips in Luoyang, with the very bricks and tiles under one's feet traceable back to the Qin and Han dynasties." As a city in a Chinese province renowned for its culture, Luoyang is not only an important birthplace of Chinese civilization, but also a place where literature and art have long developed and prospered. Over the last few days, visiting diplomats toured cultural and historical sites, museums, and other places of interest in the city. They were given the opportunities to experience the passion inherent in this ancient urban hub, and also learn more about the latest achievements in the integration and development of the local culture and tourism.

As one of the most famous historical and cultural cities in China, the ancient capital of Luoyang is full of historical sites and beautiful landscapes. Bai Juyi, a poet of the Tang Dynasty, said that "Around Luoyang, there are many natural scenic spots, while Longmen has the best view," when he was visiting the Longmen Grottoes. On July 20 this year, foreign diplomats arrived in Luoyang and were similarly mesmerized by the numerous and highly characteristic stone sculptures in the Longmen Grottoes, which demonstrate a splendor view and exquisite craftsmanship.

A cruise tour on the Yi River allows every passenger to appreciate lush mountains on either side of the banks, as well as the clean and rippling water of the river, while observing the majestic grottoes. Nomenjanahary Jean Victor Sambaniaina, First Counsellor of the Embassy of the Republic of Madagascar in China, said that Henan had ingenuously integrated its historical and cultural elements in the design of its cultural and tourism products, blending ancient and modern elements, as well as history and future to create a Henan that is full of vitality.

The Mingtang and Tiantang halls, where Wu Zetian, the only female emperor of China, managed politics, worshiped the Buddha and lived her daily life, vividly display the brilliant chapter of Luoyang more than one thousand years ago. Diplomats visited the Sui and Tang Dynasties Luoyang City National Heritage Park, climbed up the Mingtang and Tiantang halls, and looked out at the bustling Tianjie Street, experiencing for themselves the glory of the ancient capital of the Zhou Dynasty under the reign of Wu Zetian.

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As night falls, Luoyi Ancient City becomes crowded. The visiting diplomats put on beautiful Hanfu, a type of traditional Chinese clothing, and walked through the bustling crowd, as if they were travelling back in time to the prosperous Tang Dynasty. They said: "Here, we have not only appreciated the beautiful scenery of the ancient city at night, but also experienced traditional Chinese culture. It is a new and interesting experience." In recent years, Luoyang has brought new vitality to the "night-time economy" by creating new and diverse channels for night tourism activities.

Luoyang Sui-Tang Dynasties Grand Canal Cultural Museum is the first museum in China to systematically illustrate the story of the Grand Canal constructed in the Sui and Tang dynasties. Upon entering the exhibition hall, diplomats saw a flowing canal with boats running on it, which connects Yuhang (today's Hangzhou), Luoyang, and Zhuojun (today's Beijing). The unfolding scene showcased the magnificent scenery and different terrains, local customs, and rich economic products that flourished along the canal. The multimedia interactive experience at the exhibition hall, which featured the historic waterborne transportation of rice to the emperor's dining table, left a deep impression on the distinguished guests.

In addition, diplomats also visited the Peony Porcelain Museum to learn about traditional Chinese culture and the historical origins of peony porcelain. They saw how peony porcelain products are made, and gained a deeper understanding of traditional Chinese culture through the art of porcelain.

In order to enhance the visitors' experiences, this tour also deliberately included a "Luoyang Visual Narrative Study Camp" as part of the "Discover China" Tours. The children of diplomats were invited to photography classes together with Chinese teenagers, and visited the Dingdingmen site, Luoyang Museum, Longmen Grottoes and other scenic spots to experience ancient wall paintings and explore the story of the eastern starting point of the Silk Road in creative ways. The rich research activities with abundant historical and cultural knowledge were a hit amongst the children and their parents, receiving many favorable comments.

Tourism is a bridge for exchanges between civilizations and cultures as well as a vital way to enhance friendships. It allows people to appreciate the beauty of different cultures for their own wellbeing through the charm of the great nature. At the end of this four-day tour of Luoyang, many diplomats expressed their willingness to work together with China to promote more cultural exchanges, cultural integration, and people-to-people communication with their respective countries, encouraging each civilization across the world to shine in its own way.

A spokesperson from the Bureau of International Exchange and Cooperation of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism said that this March, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Civilization Initiative, calling for deep respect for the diversity of civilizations. Xi advocates the common values of humanity, highlighting both the inheritance and innovation of cultural heritage as ways to strengthen international people-to-people exchanges and cooperation. The "Discover China" Tours is one way of implementing the spirit of Xi's important speech. Next, the Bureau of International Exchange and Cooperation will continue to improve its mechanisms and broaden its platforms, conduct comprehensive, multi-level, and wide-ranging dialogues and exchanges, and utilize branded cultural activities such as "Discover China" to provide more diverse and high-quality cultural tourism channels to people around the world. The aim is to deepen exchanges and cooperation with many countries operating in cultural and tourism markets, and to provide products, information, services, and other offerings that contribute wisdom and promote global culture building and high-quality development of the tourism industry.

Xu Yixian, Mayor of Luoyang, said: "This event served as an opportunity for Luoyang to better present itself on the world stage and showcase its distinctive beauty. I hope that our esteemed visiting diplomats have been able to feel the cultural atmosphere of this ancient capital, understand something of the history of China, appreciate her rich natural scenery, and, consequently, discover the 'beauty of Luoyang' and 'beauty of China', to jointly promote cultural exchanges and mutual learning between China and foreign countries."